I'm not very keen on tail docking and that but I have read that if your retrievers are going to be used for field trials or as working dogs, it can be better to have their dewclaws removed. From what I understand, it is done when the pups are only a day or two old and the toe hasn't stated developing yet (of course I'm going on what the website said, don't know what the TRUTH is).

The reason they do it is to avoid injury later on in life when operating on a torn dewclaw causes a LOT of pain? Does anyone know anything more about this? I think I'm anti the whole idea but if it doesn't hurt and is better in the long run?